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Dear Council 41 Member:
During the February MEC Meeting the MEC (comprised of each LEC President) passed a resolution about the Company's desire for more concessions from the employees. Just to be perfectly clear we have not agreed to talk to the Company about concessions. It has been reported in the press that the Company is seeking an additional 1.6 billion dollars from labor. Remember LABOR gave them 1.2 Billion in 2002.
If you are hearing rumors about specific cuts it is just that RUMOR. Keep in mind that the pilots agreed to talk about concessions and what they negotiate may directly affect us because of the ME-TOO language. Not every aspect of our contract is a me-too but there are about 14.
Here is the resolution:
Whereas, the AFA MEC met with Senior Management on February 11, 2004, and heard aspects of a new business plan for US Airways, and,
Whereas, Senior Management gave every indication to the AFA MEC that flight attendant participation in some form would be expected, and,
Whereas, the Company's recent policy changes and continued violations of our collective bargaining agreement have negatively affected our members day-to-day life,
Whereas, the AFA MEC is committed to protecting the interests of its members,
Therefore, be it resolved, that the AFA MEC demands that management work proactively to improve working relationships with labor, and,
Be it further resolved that the AFA MEC requests that US Airways management provide the AFA MEC with a detailed business plan, and,
Be it further resolved that the AFA MEC requests that US Airways management provide the AFA MEC with a detailed proposal outlining the Company's expectation on the level of participation from the flight attendants in the employ of US Airways, and,
Be it further resolved that the AFA MEC demands that US Airways management advise the AFA MEC and its members how all levels of management intend to participate in any sacrifices to enhance the profitability of the Company, and,
Be it finally resolved that the AFA MEC is committed to exploring any viable options that will assure future job security for our members as well as assure the long-term survival of our Company.
Let me explain. We met with senior management (Siegel, Glass, Cohen) during February and they gave us a glossed over version of their "new plan," so we are demanding that they give us the full version. When management was asked about their concessions, it was joked about and never answered, so we demand to know what they are willing to sacrifice. We also need to know exactly what they expect from the flight attendants; therefore we want their proposal. What we have stated is we will work on any VIABLE options that can save jobs and our Company.
The Company is no longer comparing us to Southwest. They are comparing us to Jet Blue, AirTran and America West. They want our agreements to be that of these low cost carriers. Unfortunately the CEO's of these Companies still make a hefty sum.
MEETING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
On March 1 the MEC met with Dr. Bronner the Chairman of the Board at US Airways. I did not learn much from this meeting. He is an investor (approximately $270 million) who does not want to lose money and of course wants his investment to grow. He stated that if we were to get out of the red ink we would have "jobs and happy stockholders." Those jobs he is referring to are not the jobs you and I know today, remember they are comparing us to Jet Blue. Who cares about happy stockholders?
The one thing I did learn is that Dr. Bronner's investment in US Airways is 1% of his portfolio. That means he can make or lose that amount of money one day in the stock market. What I believe is we (US Airways) are a challenge to him.
I will try to keep you as up-to-date as possible however the situation is very fluid. For a timely update please sign up for the MEC E-Line at www.afausairways.org. In the near future we will have a local meeting to discuss the concessions we are being asked to give.
The best advice I can give you is to make sure your finances are in order. Give additional thought to any large purchases. Spend
wisely.
In Solidarity,
Bob Kenia
SIEGEL CAN WALK AWAY RICH!
Pittsburgh Post Gazette 3-07-04
"The airline's chief executive officer is 3 1/2 weeks from being able to walk away from the Arlington, Va.-based carrier for any reason and collect $4.5 million in severance pay. This window, built into his contract during bankruptcy last year, is available for only 30 days, starting April 1. Siegel maintains he is not going anywhere in April -- at least not voluntarily. "While my contract contains protections should I resign from my position in April, I ... intend to stay and work with the board and our employees to complete our restructuring.""
ATSB LOAN RESTRUCTURED
On Friday March 12 the Company was successful in restructuring the ATSB loan. This gives management a little breathing room to seek further cuts from labor. "It is essential for US Airways to significantly reduce its costs and return to sustained profitability by 2005 to secure continued availability of the ATSB loan," said Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer Neal Cohen. "This agreement provides US Airways the opportunity to continue its restructuring efforts, while reducing the government's exposure and providing additional loan protections to the ATSB."
MEETING WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR/WRITE-UPS
If your supervisor requests a meeting with you, under our agreement you are entitled to bring a union representative or another flight attendant to act as your witness. This is your right! Inflight will not "be mad" or look upon you differently; they understand your rights.
If you are asked to respond to a write-up (passenger, another crew member etc.) ask to get a copy of the write-up before you respond. Do not write any thing until you see the actual write-up.
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU
The FAA warned US Airways that they would start to personally fine flight attendants for FAA violations. The two biggest infractions are minimum crew requirement and manual violations.
During boarding (originator or through flights) and deplaning there MUST be a minimum required crew on board. That means you can not step in to the jetway to answer the phone, call the agent, check bags, etc. You will need to coordinate with the cockpit during your briefing to determine if they are willing to assist you in any way. If not, then you must send the passenger back to the agent for assistance.
I have written about this several times over the past few years and have requested the Company provide solutions to the many problems we face, such as a passenger manifest. But they just continue to tell us what we can't do. You need to look out for each other and avoid these fines and possible discipline.
PINK SLIPS-BIG-BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU
The Company is on another pink slip crack down. If you are called in to the office about a liquor discrepancy you will then be asked to provide your pink slips. Company policy states that you must keep these slips for 120 days. What do the pink slips prove? Not a great deal but it is still their policy.
Letters of warning have been issued in other bases with the threat of further discipline if you do not have your pink slips in the future. Again, we need to watch our backs. If you are the "B" flight attendant please coordinate with the "A" as to what
they want. The "A" will be called in for any discrepancies not the "B".
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE
By Alin Boswell LEC Vice President
It is that time of year again when flight attendants across the globe descend on Washington to lobby Congress on flight attendant safety and security issues. AFA members last year achieved a huge success with flight attendant certification. Building on that success, security training will be one of the primary focuses of the legislative affair conference. While airlines are currently complying with the law that states they must "provide security training", it is apparent that each airline has a very different definition about what that means. Since September 11th, AFA has pushed for a comprehensive security training program. No matter what airline a flight attendant is employed with, all should receive the same defense training in these uncertain times. Currently, the TSA has designed such a program but is waiting for the direction of Congress on when to start this program.
While this will be one of the goals of the conference in March, it will not end there. This May, flight attendants will be needed to participate in a lobby day and possible media event to encourage Congress to once again take up this issue and stop falling short of their many promises. As part of the FAA Reauthorization Bill last year, such a program was part of that bill. However, at the last minute Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX) stripped it from the final legislation on behalf of one airline CEO. Hopefully that will not happen again this year but Mr. Delay is still a very powerful member of the Congress. What's needed in the short term is for all flight attendants to sign up for the E activist provided by AFA. This is a painless way to let your elected representative know how their voters feel on labor and specifically flight attendant issues. If you do not receive this feature you can sign up with David Martin in the AFA government affairs office at
dmartin@afanet.org.
AFA members are desperately needed for the May event. It is currently scheduled for May 12. If you are interested in attending this event or any other legislative activity, please call Alin Boswell at 703-212-8090 or send an email to
alin@afausairways.org for further information. You will be teamed up with an experienced AFA member to visit congressional offices and lobby on behalf of your profession. Please remember that now is the time to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election. The labor vote was critical in many battleground states in the past election and this years election looks to be very close already.
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HELPING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS PEGASUS PROJECT
Does this name ring a bell? Many of you may be familiar with the Pegasus Project. The Project was founded in the early 1990's by a concerned group of flight attendants to help other flight attendants in their hour of need. Over the years it fell by the wayside and floundered. However, in recent years a few flight attendants from American West and US Airways resurrected The Project and have spent much of their free time raising funds to ensure its survival. The Project exists to help flight attendants who are facing life-threatening illness or injury. Even in a base the size of Washington, we all know individuals who have had to make difficult decisions about what bills get paid and which ones can wait a month or more. In these difficult financial times it is easy to see how many of us are only a few paychecks away from these decisions.
The good news is that many airlines have made fundraising easier for The Project by allowing flight attendants to donate a few dollars of their paycheck each month to help out these flight attendants. US Airways flight attendants will soon have such an opportunity. Beginning in April, payroll deduction will be available for all flight attendants at US Airways. This may not seem like a big deal but it is a reliable and consistent source of income for Pegasus which will free up the volunteers to assist the flight attendants directly.
Pegasus is a fund of last resort. What that means is that The Project is only able to assist flight attendants after all other means have been exhausted. One of the goals of The Project is to increase the amount of assistance provide to the flight attendants to avoid being a fund of last resort. Each month we hear from many more flight attendants than we can provide assistance too. What The Project needs are a few volunteers who can dedicate a couple hours a month to help inform the members about Pegasus and help with crew room visits and possible fundraising. If you know of someone who may need assistance or would like to donate online, please visit our website at
www.thepegasusproject.org. Pegasus is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax
deductible. If you are interested please contact Alin Boswell at 703-212-8090
This newsletter was sent via e-mail and placed in all flight attendant mailboxes.
Sign up HERE
or www.afausairways.org
and Click on the Washington page.
Bob Kenia, LEC President
703-690-6859 office
703-690-9350 Fax
bkenia@afasuairways.org
Alin Boswell, LEC VP
703-212-8090 office
703-212-8089 fax
alin@afausairways.org
Katie Whitney, LEC Secretary
703-719-6940 office
703-719-6935 fax
kwhitney@afausiarways.org
COUNCIL 41
Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO
Committee List
GRIEVANCE
Bob Kenia - Alin Boswell
EAP (PRIVATE, CONFIDENTIAL NUMBERS)
Annette Hill & Kathy Vieweg
703-212-0580 540-687-3737
ahill@afausairways.org
kvieweg@afausairways.org
SAFETY
Christine Stout Denise Beaudoin
703-262-0905
dbeaudoin@afausairways.org
PLEASE LEAVE ALL SAFETY WRITE-UPS IN CHRISTINE'S MAILBOX
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Alin Boswell Lori Vitto
202-297-3610
lvitto@afausairways.org
CREW ACCOMMODATIONS
Rick Poloway Please place all Hotel write-up in Rick's
rpoloway@afausairways.org
202-364-9943
UNIFORM
Scott Haskell
shaskell@afausairways.org
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